What is Advancement?

Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank in the Scouting program. Advancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. Everything done to advance and earn these ranks, from joining until leaving the program, should be designed to help the your person have an exciting and meaningful experience.

Advancement Updates
As updates come out from the National Office you will find them listed here.

New Eagle Application must be used as of May 1, 2008.

Tiger Cub Advancement
Tiger Cubs is a program of exciting indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy who is in first grade and/or is 7 years old. A parent is with the Tiger Cub as his support and guide.

Your Tiger cub will be a member of a den. Most dens have five to nine boy-adult partner teams, meet twice a month in a den meeting and have one meeting a month called a Go See It. The den also takes part in the monthly den meetings. During den meetings, Go See It outings, and pack meetings, boys learn new things and have fun. The adult partner attends all den meetings, pack meetings, outings, and activities with the Tiger Cub and may register as an adult leader in the pack.

The pack meets monthly, usually at the building of its chartered organization. This meeting is conducted by the Cubmaster and the committee.

Cub Scout Advancement
Cub Scouting is home- and neighborhood- centered for the Cub Scout. Advancement involves parental approval of requirements.

If a boy is in the second or third grade (or is 8 or 9), he becomes a member of a Cub Scout den of perhaps five to eight boys, and his den is one of several that make up a pack. The den meets weekly, usually at the home of the den leader. If the boy is in the fourth grade (or is 10), he may become a member of a Webelos den. This den is led by an adult Webelos den leader. A pack may have more than one Webelos den, depending on the number of Webelos Scouts. The Webelos den meets weekly.

The pack meets monthly, usually at the building of its chartered organization. This meeting is conducted by the Cubmaster and the committee.

Boy Scout Advancement
The Boy Scout advancement program is subtle. It places a series of challenges in front of a Scout in a manner that is fun and educational. As Scouts meet these challenges, they achieve the aims of Boy Scouting. The Scout advances and grows in the Boy Scout phase of the program in the same way a plant grows by receiving nourishment in the right environment. The job of adults concerned with advancement is to provide the right environment.

One of the greatest needs of young men is confidence. There are three kinds of confidence that young men need:

in themselves
in peers,
and in leaders.

Venturing Advancement
One of the strengths of the Venturing program is its ability to meet the interest of all Venturers. Sometimes Venturers like to investigate new, different areas. Variety in a crew always seems to make it more fun to go to meetings and outings. Also, Venturers probably have many interests or would like to have more. Because of that desire, and to provide a pathway to many different experiences, the Venturing Bronze Awards Program is offered. Venturers can earn their crew's specialty Bronze Award or all five Bronze Awards.

Return to Volunteer Information.